Charles defends political letters

The Prince of Wales's office last night defended his right to correspond with ministers as the row over his private communications with government officials intensified.

In an unusual move, St James's Palace issued a statement challenging criticism of the Prince and asserting that "part of his role" as King-in-waiting was to represent to the Government views that otherwise might not be heard.

The statement followed claims that Lord Irvine, the Lord Chancellor, had complained after being "bombarded" with missives from the Prince outlining his concerns on "compensation culture".

But a spokesman for Lord Irvine said: "The Prince does occasionally write to the Lord Chancellor on a variety of issues. The Lord Chancellor has not complained in any way and on the contrary welcomes the correspondence".

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He is also alleged to have said, in private discussions with a senior politician, that if the Government banned hunting he might as well leave the country and spend the rest of his life skiing.

Although the letter to Mr Blair was written in July, the remark proved inflammatory when it was leaked two months later to coincide with the Liberty and Livelihood march.

St James's Palace stressed that the issue was not about the Prince writing letters, but rather about confidentiality.

A spokesman said: "The Prince of Wales takes an active interest in all aspects of British life and believes that as well as celebrating success, part of his role must be to highlight problems and represent views in danger of not being heard.

"But this role can only be fulfilled properly if complete confidentiality is maintained."

"It is proper and right that he should take an interest in British life. It is not about exerting undue pressure or campaigning privately."

However, some Labour MPs have accused the Prince of applying improper pressure on government officials on political matters.

Ian Davidson, MP for Glasgow Pollock, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "If he wants to be involved in politics, then he should consider standing for election.

"Let's not kid ourselves that Prince Charles is a representative of ordinary people. This is someone who was born with a mouthful of silver spoons, a mega-wealthy farmer who's looking for things to do so he fires off letters."

St James's Palace would not comment on claims that the Prince writes to ministers, on average, once a fortnight.

But his actions were defended by Prof Vernon Bogdanor, a constitutional expert and professor of government at Oxford University.

"He's got a right to do so," said Prof Bogdanor, "some would say a duty. The condition is, it must remain private, so it does not appear he is expressing a view at odds with the government of the day.

"The Prince of Wales sees Cabinet papers and he has a right to express his views on government policy."

Chris Patten, a European commissioner, said: "To regard a letter from the Prince of Wales as unconstitutional interference in public affairs seems completely ludicrous.

"You don't have to agree with everything he says to believe passionately in his right to go on saying it."

John Gummer, a former Tory environment secretary, said: "One of the great strengths of the monarchy is that the Queen and the Royal Family have had much longer experience of political matters than any minister".